Rotating magnetic particle microrheometry in biopolymer fluid dynamics: mucus microrheology

J Chem Phys. 2007 Sep 14;127(10):105106. doi: 10.1063/1.2766947.

Abstract

The polymer properties of canine mucus were investigated through the method of rotating magnetic particle microrheometry. Mucus is visualized as a physically entangled biopolymer of low polydispersity in a water-based solution. Mucus was modeled according to the constitutive law of a Doi-Edwards fluid. The magnetic-particle equation of rotational motion is analytically solved in the linear viscoelastic limit rendering theoretical flow profiles which are used to fit the experimental trace signals of the particle remanent-magnetic-field decay. The zero-shear-rate viscosity was found to be 18,000 P and the relaxation time at about 42 s. The molecular weight between entanglements for mucins was estimated at 1.7 MDa rendering an estimation of about seven physical cross-links per molecule. Rheological investigations were extended also to diluted and concentrated rations of the normal mucus simulating the conditions found in more physiological extremes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Biopolymers / chemistry*
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Elasticity
  • Magnetics*
  • Microchemistry
  • Models, Biological
  • Mucus / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Rheology
  • Solutions / chemistry*
  • Time Factors
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Biopolymers
  • Solutions